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| Draupadi Murmu Biography |
Draupadi Murmu, a trailblazer in Indian politics, is the 15th President of India and the first tribal woman to hold this esteemed office. A soft-spoken leader from Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, Murmu’s rise in Indian politics is a testament to her hard work and resilience. She assumed office on July 25, 2022, succeeding Ram Nath Kovind.
Early Life and Family
- Born: June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda village, Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
- Parents: Biranchi Narayan Tudu; both her father and grandfather served as village heads under the Panchayati Raj system.
- Spouse: Married to Shyam Charan Murmu, a banker (passed away in 2014).
- Children: Had three children—two sons (both deceased) and a daughter, Itishri Murmu.
- Education: Graduated from Ramadevi Women’s University, Odisha.
Career Beginnings
- Teaching: Started her career as an assistant professor at Shri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Institute, Rairangpur, and later worked as a junior assistant in the Odisha Irrigation Department.
Political Career
Draupadi Murmu began her political journey with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1997. Her significant milestones include:
- Councillor of Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat (1997).
- Chairperson of Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat (2000).
- National Vice-President, BJP Scheduled Tribes Morcha.
Ministerial Positions in Odisha
| Position | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Transport | March 6, 2000 – August 6, 2000 |
| Minister of State for Fisheries & Animal Resources Development | August 6, 2002 – May 16, 2004 |
MLA from Rairangpur Constituency
- Represented Rairangpur in the Odisha Legislative Assembly (2000 and 2004).
- Received the Nilkantha Award for Best MLA by the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 2007.
Governor of Jharkhand
- Appointed as the first female Governor of Jharkhand on May 18, 2015.
- As Governor, she opposed amendments to the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act in 2017, protecting tribal land rights.
Historic Presidential Journey
- NDA Presidential Candidate (2022): Nominated by BJP for the Presidential Election and supported by parties like BJD, JMM, Shiv Sena, and BSP.
- Victory: Defeated opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha to become India’s first tribal President and second female President after Pratibha Patil.
Oath and Vision as President
- Took the oath of office on July 25, 2022, administered by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana in the Central Hall of Parliament.
- In her inaugural speech, she highlighted:
"I am the first President of India born in Independent India. We must work to fulfill the aspirations of our freedom fighters."
Awards and Recognition
- Honored with the Nilkantha Award in 2007 for her legislative contributions.
Legacy
Draupadi Murmu’s journey from a modest tribal village to the Rashtrapati Bhavan is a beacon of inspiration. Her dedication to public service and advocacy for tribal and marginalized communities mark her as a transformative leader in India’s democratic history.